Best Hikes in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: How to Spend 1 Day

If you are spending some time near Monterey, CA, you can’t miss Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. In this post, we discuss the best hikes in Point Lobos and how to make the most of your time here.

Check out the map below to help plan your route and see what trails the park has to offer.

Additionally, check out a few picturesque areas near Big Sur before you head to Salinas. This post is part of our 16-day road trip through California, so check it out too!

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Use the map above to help plan your trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The short trails are color-coded above, and you can pick and choose which trails to hike. Additionally, a 4.3-mile loop around the park is shown above as well.

Weather and Safety in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

• It’s safe to say that the weather in and around Monterey and Point Lobos is perfect almost all year! With temperatures ranging from the 50s in the winter to the 70s in the summer, you really can’t go wrong here.
• Have you heard the term “June Gloom”? Well, if you travel here in the late spring or early summer, you may experience foggy conditions due to cold Pacific Ocean temperatures that meet the warm coastal areas of California.
• Make sure to use and apply sunscreen often. The sun and UV index can be intense in California.
• Point Lobos State Natural Park has some areas with cliffs leading to the ocean, so if you have children, please pay attention to your surroundings.
• Poison Oak is present EVERYWHERE. We really mean everywhere. Familiarize yourself with what this plant looks like, so you don’t ruin the rest of your vacation. Stick to the middle of the trails and be aware of your surroundings.

Animal Safety in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

There are many animals present, including squirrels, gophers, deer, rabbits, lizards, and snakes. Snakes?! The great news here is that no poisonous snakes have been seen in Point Lobos, so you don’t need to worry!

Where to Stay

Depending on where you plan to stay in preparation for visiting Pinnacles National Park, we recommend staying in Monterey or Salinas, CA. Check out some options below:

• Monterey Bay Inn – ocean views on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary & breakfast included!
• Hotel Abrego – enjoy a night in a Craftsman-style inspired guestroom in Monterey.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Salinas – can you go wrong with free breakfast? Nah!
• Best Western Salinas Monterey Hotel – a classic Best Western with breakfast included in Salinas.

Best Hikes in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

You can easily spend a few or many hours hiking at Point Lobos. Some of the best hikes in Point Lobos include the South Shore Trail, Sand Hill Trail, Sea Lion Point Trail, and our favorite: Cypress Grove Trail.

Most of the trails here are short, so you can complete multiple short trails together or pick and choose what you want to do. Our time at Point Lobos was cut shorter than we would have liked. Can you guess why? Traffic!

We spent about 3 hours on the 101 going 25-35 MPH the entire time to get here from Oakland. What a way to start a vacation!

Cypress Grove Trail – 0.6 miles, easy, Loop

Arguably, the best hike in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is the Cypress Grove Trail! This trail starts at the first parking lot after you pass the entrance station. If you are lucky enough to get an open spot, park here!

There are restrooms located just to the north of the parking lot. Head down the trail and start your hike. You can travel either direction, but watch out for poison oak along this trail, as it is everywhere.

Stay to the right at the fork and walk along the trail until you reach a short spur trail that leads down to the water. This area has amazing views of the sea and cliffs. Turn around and head back up, making a right to continue the loop.

Enjoy stunning views of the sea in the cool, shaded cypress forest. Make your way back toward the start of the trailhead and then head to the Sand Hill and Sea Lion Point Trails.

➡️ Read next: Take an amazing hike on the Balconies Cave and High Peaks Loop in Pinnacles National Park.

Sand Hill Trail & Sea Lion Point Trail – <1 mile, easy, loop

These two trails are super quick loop trails that will eventually lead you to the South Shore Trail. Start this series of quick hikes at the same parking lot as the Cypress Grove Trail, toward the southwest area of the lot.

When you come to the fork in the trail, stay to the right to link up to the Sea Lion Point Trail. Be careful along the edges here as you hike along the coast. Be on the lookout for sea lions and other wildlife. You will likely hear and smell them before you see them.

Once you complete the Sea Lion Loop, stay to the right again and hike along the Sand Hill Trail. Then, descend and hike along the South Shore Trail when you reach the stairs on the right side.

South Shore Trail – 2 miles, easy, out and back

Another one of the best hikes in Point Lobos is the South Shore Trail. You can complete as much of this trail as you’d like, but just remember that you’ll have to hike back to where you parked.

If you take this trail all the way, you’ll reach the 1/2 mile Bird Island Trail, which is a quick loop that you can take before you return to the parking lot.

Additional Trails

The Bird Island Trail has one of the park’s best attractions along the trail, as well: China Cove. China Cove is famous for its remarkably clear water, which shifts in color from deep emerald green to bright turquoise, particularly when the sun is shining.

From the same parking lot, you have the option to continue hiking on the South Plateau Trail and Carmelo Meadow Trail until you reach the other side of Point Lobos through the woods. You can also turn back and hike back to your car if short on time.

On the other side of the woods, you can link up with the Granite Point Trail, Cabin Trail, and North Shore Trail if you want to make a larger loop to arrive back at the Cypress Grove parking area.

Completing the full loop will add about 3.7-4 miles to your trek starting at the junction of the South Shore Trail and Sand Hill Trail.

👉🏽 Don’t want to hike? Check out the options below from Viator.

Big Sur – Bixby Bridge

Finally, head south on California Highway 1 and visit the Bixby Bridge. This location is very popular for its great views of the Big Sur area. This bridge was built in 1932, before the surrounding roads were even completed!

Keep in mind that there is only a small area to park here. As we arrived, it was very busy, and an officer was helping to direct traffic. Please only park here in designated areas, or you’ll risk a parking ticket.

The officer will come over to your car if it is illegally parked and write you a ticket on the spot. How do we know? We watched it happen to someone!

Final Thoughts

Our first day in California was great! That being said, spending most of the afternoon in traffic is not something we had planned for, so keep in mind that you will likely be doing the same at some point during your trip to California.

Just expect it and build in some extra time. We really enjoyed Point Lobos and its amazing scenery. Stopping at the Bixby Bridge before heading to Salinas for the evening was a great way to end the day.

🛏️ Book your stay in Salinas at the Hampton Inn & Suites Salinas.